PB2121: EFFECT OF EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY ON THE KNOWLEDGE OF CLINICIANS REGARDING THE LATEST CLINICAL TRIAL DATA INVESTIGATING NOVEL EPIGENETIC AGENTS FOR B- AND T-CELL LYMPHOMAS
Authors: V. Harvey-Jones, S. Koekkoek, N. Dorkhom, S. Horwitz
Journal: HemaSphere (2022)

Background: While immunotherapeutic approaches are now offering new treatment options for many patients with certain lymphomas, advances in the understanding of key disease pathways have the potential to bring much-needed novel therapies to patients. Several early trials are showing promise with novel epigenetic agents for B-cell and T-cell lymphomas. Thus, the increase in clinical data available, and the variety of new epigenetic therapies in development, requires physician education as to their relevance as potential therapeutic approaches to lymphoma treatment. Aims: This study aimed to determine whether online continuing medical education could improve the knowledge of hematologists/oncologists (hem/oncs) in the latest clinical developments with novel epigenetic agents for patients with B- and T-cell lymphomas. Methods: This educational activity consisted of a 30-minute expert commentary with synchronized slides summarizing the presentations from a Medscape Live Virtual Townhall in June 2021. Educational effect was assessed using a repeated-pair design with pre-/post-assessment. 3 multiple choice questions assessed knowledge, and 1 question rated on a Likert-type scale assessed confidence. A paired samples t-test was conducted for significance testing on overall average number of correct responses and for confidence rating, and a McNemar’s test was conducted at the question or learning objective level (5% significance level, P <.05). Cohen’s d with correction for paired samples estimated the effect size of the education on number of correct responses (<.20 modest, .20-.49 small, .59-.79 moderate, ≥.80 large). Data were collected from 25/6/21 to 9/12/21. Results: Overall significant improvements in hem/onc knowledge were seen after participation in the education (average correct response rate: 39% pre-assessment vs 50% post-assessment; P<.001, Cohen’s d = 0.41, N=73). Around 16% of hem/oncs improved and 64% reinforced (confirmed) their knowledge regarding the most recent data with epigenetic agents in patients with B-cell lymphomas, with 81% knowing this information post-education (P=0.251). While there were significant improvements in knowledge regarding the latest data with epigenetic agents for T-cell lymphomas, with 29% improving and 25% reinforcing knowledge (P<0.001), 65% still did not know this information after education. In addition, as a result of the education, 37% of hem/oncs had a measurable improvement in their confidence regarding integrating epigenetic-based therapy into clinical practice, resulting in 16% of oncologists being mostly or very confident after the education. Summary/Conclusion: This study analysis demonstrated that an online education consisting of a 30-minute expert commentary with synchronized slides summarizing the presentations from a Medscape Live Virtual Townhall, effectively improved the knowledge and confidence of hem/oncs regarding the latest clinical trial data investigating novel epigenetic agents for B- and T-cell lymphomas. However, gaps in knowledge do remain, particularly for T-cell lymphomas, which warrants further education to help address these needs and continue supporting the improvement of patient outcomes with these hematological malignancies.